Can you juice bananas? If yes, then why?
Bananas are a tasty and healthy snack that you can take on the go. Simply add to your breakfast to ensure you start the day off right. But do they provide the same benefits when in liquid form?
Bananas contain high levels of potassium, vitamin B6, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, and iron, along with vitamins C and E, and fiber.
They also provide energy, protein, carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids.
A newly popular method of consuming these nutrients is juicing. This is not only fun to use but is great for mixing in other fruits you may not usually incorporate into your diet. However, does this include bananas?
There are a few crucial points to keep in mind to make sure you know how and when to safely juice a banana, along with the range of benefits banana juice can provide.
We have compiled everything you need to know about banana juice below, so you know how to get the most nutrients out of this favorite fruit snack.
Can A Regular Juicer Work On A Banana?
The answer to this question is unfortunately probably not. Bananas do not possess enough water content and are just too soft. It can be very hard to squeeze any juice out of them as you would normally.
This can also easily clog a juicer with banana gunk, which can leave a nasty after-taste
However, if you really want to try out the juicer on a banana then it can be done, as long as you follow some guidelines:
1. Cut the banana lengthwise into 3-4 sections.
2. Peel off the skin by gently pulling at the peel with your fingers.
3. Slice each section in half.
4. Place all the pieces in the juicer.
5. Start the machine and slowly push down on the plunger until the banana starts to move around.
6. Once the banana has started moving around, continue pushing down on the plunger for another 30 seconds or more.
7. When finished, remove the banana from the juicer and enjoy!
Also, keep in mind there are no real benefits of using other juicers like masticating juicers which grind and squeeze produce methodologically. This would only turn a soft banana to mush.
Juicing a banana is possible but tricky and will not always work, however, don’t skip on the alternative methods of making a banana that much tastier.
Soft Serve Banana
One tasty alternative that can be made by putting slightly bigger banana pieces into a juicer is banana soft serve, which is delicious and nutritious.
The banana soft serve recipe is simple and quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy days.
Simply slice up a large ripe banana. Place it into a juicer as you would normally with bigger pieces than if you wanted to juice it. This works best with frozen bananas and a slow juicer.
You will eventually have a tasty, warm-flavored banana that is a very healthy and tasty treat for the summer and is entirely dairy and sugar-free, being completely child-friendly.
Soft serve banana is also vegan as it hails from fresh fruit with the dish essentially having no recipe needed. This makes for a quick and easy alternative if you don’t want to try juicing a banana and want an alternate, fun, and tasty way of eating one.
Banana Peels
Believe it or not, the peels of bananas can also be juiced and are actually much easier since they are not mushy like bananas and will be sweeter.
To make banana peels work well in a juicer. Simply cut the peel into smaller pieces and then put them through the juicer.
You will find that the peel comes away easily from the pulp and makes a nice addition to your smoothie bowl.
The peels contain higher water content than the fruit itself, but still, less than orange peels so can provide some tasty juices for you to mix with.
Microwave Method
If you don’t want to juice a banana or its peels, there are some other options for extracting healthy juices. This includes a popular method of putting bananas in a microwave.
Simply leave a batch of bananas in the refrigerator overnight and then place them in the microwave for 2 minutes the morning after.
This will allow the enzymes to break down the cell walls and release the nutrients within the banana.
It is recommended that you let the juice cool before drinking it as the microwaved bananas will be hot, so be cautious not to gulp it down immediately.
Blending
The other alternative option to create some warm and tasty banana juice is through blending.
This method is great for those who do not have a juicer or prefer to blend their own juices.
To get the most out of your blender, try to chop up the banana first into small chunks.
Then add ice cubes, preferably regular-sized, and any other ingredients you need such as milk, honey or vanilla extract.
Blend everything together and voilà, you have a delicious banana milkshake that is great for taking on the go. This can help provide you with the nutrients needed to stay fit, healthy, and focused for the day.
When Should I Drink Banana Juice?
The best time to consume your banana juice is at least 30 minutes after eating your meal.
This allows for digestion to be completed before the banana begins to break down in your stomach. This can be a great way to keep you filled up throughout the day without having to eat another meal right after.
Conclusion
While it can be tricky, bananas can be juiced when following some guidelines and can produce one of the tastiest and healthiest drinks out there. Never shy away from the idea of experimenting with mixing other juices. This will add some flavor, or even prepare your bananas in other unique ways to see which flavor suits you best.
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